His explanation sent a chill down the spines of the other three.
They had no doubt about Grom's words, because they knew that Grom's profession originated from his successful job change after consuming a complete dragon carcass.
He can receive the inherited memories of the dragon race, just like the dragons.
After joining the Enlightenment Society, he even devoured five dragons with the help of the Holy Son!
It was only natural that he knew where the Dragon Mountains were located.
However, when they learned that they were not going to infiltrate the island's fortress, but rather the dragon's sacred land deep beneath the sea!
Being cautious by nature, they inevitably had second thoughts.
"The deep sea...that's the dragons' home turf." Tobyzan's hood crackled with electricity, his voice booming like thunder. "Are you sure the four of us can get that thing...?"
"So you need the guidance of hunters, don't you?" Grom interrupted him, his eyes flashing with a mixture of confidence and cruelty. "I have been tracking and studying dragons for over a century, and I have even devoured two pureblood dragons who once guarded the Dragon Mountains!"
"I know their habits, weaknesses, and the nest layout they are so proud of... I know them all like the back of my hand."
“The pressure in the deep sea can be partially mitigated by the Shadow Claws’ Shadow Secret Technique. Special environments require Toby Zan’s elemental control to stabilize them. As for those dragon beasts…” He patted the ferocious bone-toothed greatsword at his waist.
"The 'Wind Chasers' speed, combined with my methods, is enough to silence them forever before they raise the alarm. His Holiness the Abyss Child entrusted the task to us precisely because we each have our own strengths and are capable of handling it."
He glanced at his three companions and said in a deep voice, "After disembarking, split up as planned to procure necessary deep-sea diving supplies. Be discreet. Meet at 'Sea Lizard Rock' at midnight. Few races have dared to provoke the Dragon Clan in thousands of years; they've become arrogant. We only have one chance!"
He finally pointed to the sea below the ship, his eyes sharp as knives.
The merchant ship slowly came to a stop in the bustling harbor, and the rough mooring ropes were skillfully secured to stone stakes by the strong half-dragon sailors on the shore.
Grom was the first to step onto the solid stone slabs of the dock, his footsteps echoing dully.
He glanced around discreetly.
The port was bustling with activity, with sea creatures of all shapes and sizes, human merchants, and dragons of all sizes with dense scales or distinct dragon-like features moving about.
Warehouses and shops built of rough rocks stretch along the coastline, while in the distance, the misty mountains in the center of the island cast huge shadows. The dragon's might, like an invisible tide, washes over the entire island, sometimes strong and sometimes weak.
Everything here bears the mark of the dragon race, making it completely different from the human towns under the rule of the Holy Light Church.
“Jules, you’re in charge of replenishing the ‘Mermaid Breath Fruit’ and ‘Deep-Diving Algae Gel’.” Grom’s voice was extremely low, like the wind whistling through a crack in a rock. “Find a reputable sea creature merchant, don’t be stingy with gold coins, and make sure the effects last until the mountain entrance. Be quick, it must be done before sunset.”
Jules' figure was almost impossible to spot in the crowd; only a faint shadow flashed by, leaving behind a barely audible "I understand" that dissipated in the salty sea breeze.
“Shadow Fiend, I need three more portions of Abyssal Ink and an unopened Shadow Cloak.” Grom continued to give orders, his gaze falling on the shadowy figure beside him that almost blended into the environment. “Your arcane art is key to resisting the pressure of the deep sea; the materials must be flawless.”
A hoarse, low reply came from the shadows, like sandpaper scraping: "...The materials...I will...personally...select them."
Grom finally looked at Tobyzan, who was shrouded in a thundercloud cloak: "'Thunderbolt,' I suggest you purchase the core of 'Storm Urchin.' The deep sea is the domain of water elementals and also a forbidden zone for thunder. You cannot afford to lose control. With Storm Urchin, at least we can be assured that we will not be affected by your thunderous power."
A deep, rumbling sound came from under Tobyzan's hood: "...I understand. I've been through underwater environments before."
He nodded slightly, the arc of electricity on his dark blue cloak flickered weakly, and he turned and walked to the other side of the harbor. Although he was very unhappy about being ordered around, he had no choice but to obey.
Grom himself mingled with the crowd and headed towards a tavern and information agency run by humans, which had a sign with a string of giant sea monster teeth hanging on it.
He needs to confirm the recent patrol patterns of the dragons and whether there are any anomalies in the waters near the Sea Lizard Rock.
Although he had absorbed the guard's memories, he still needed to make sure that the dragon's defenses had been updated.
The procurement process for the four members of the Qizhi Association was not smooth sailing.
After all, the magical materials they were buying were needed for diving into the deep sea, and it was hard for them not to be noticed by those with ulterior motives.
When Tobizan was buying the Storm Urchin Core, he was questioned by a sharp-eyed dragonborn guard with a neck covered in blue scales.
The core of the Storm Urchin can form a septum underwater, making it a magical tool commonly used by fishermen near the Holy Dragon Islands for diving and harvesting clams.
But that only applies to fishermen in the Holy Dragon Islands.
A man with a clearly strong aura, who was also wearing a hood, bought four sea urchin cores at once, which made the guards of the Holy Dragon Islands wary.
Tobizan, his hood pulled low, explained that it was to study the magical disturbances of the deep-sea veins, and frankly showed a badge of alchemy signed by the Church of the Holy Light.
This is the emblem of the Holy Dragon Continent Magic Association. It bears not only the mark of the Holy Light Church but also the mark of the dragon race.
Those who possess this badge typically enjoy numerous advantages when conducting magical research within the territories of the Church of Holy Light and the Dragon Clan.
Each member of the Enlightenment Society naturally has one.
Although the Dragonborn Guardian had his doubts, he could not stop the other party's magical research because of the dragon mark.
In the end, Tobizan was only warned not to go to the restricted areas on the island before being allowed to leave.
As the setting sun painted the Holy Dragon Islands a golden-red hue, the four of them, like owls returning to their nests, silently gathered at the Sea Lizard Rock, a rugged, secluded coastline on the western side of the islands, covered with black reefs and rarely visited by humans.
The waves crashed violently against the jagged rocks, splashing up a cold, salty mist.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the harbor, here you can only hear the howling sea breeze and the roaring waves.
"Everything is ready."
Jules was the first to speak, handing several sealed leather pouches, each exuding a faint seaweed fragrance, to Shadowclaw. Inside were processed shark breath fruit and deep-sea algae resin.
Shadowclaw emerged from the shadows, placing a clump of "Abyss Ink" as viscous as liquid night and a neatly folded "Shadow Cloak" that seemed to absorb light on a relatively flat rock, and said in a hoarse voice, "Top-grade materials."
Tobyzan then took out several crystal bottles containing a liquid, turquoise potion, as blue as a gemstone, and four azure cores enveloped in arcs of electricity, constantly pulsating and releasing pure water elemental power:
"I might be being watched by the dragon guards. I disguised myself with a puppet before I came, but I can't guarantee I won't be discovered."
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